Saturday, December 3, 2011

Mamaw

In January, Mamaw was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. It had already gone to her brain. They found a tumor the size of a golf ball.

They surgically removed that one, and treated the others they could see with a focused radiation procedure. Then she started chemo.

She went through a full course of chemo, and it halted the stuff in her lungs. She had to have two more rounds of radiation for the stuff in her brain though.

She had anxiety attacks, thanks to the changing brain chemistry. She went through all the misery that goes with chemo, including losing her hair. She refused to wear a wig. She said "I have cancer. I don't have anything to be ashamed of, if people don't like it, they don't have to look!"

She fell in love with one of the pups when we had the baby schnauzers around. When he was potty trained, he came to live with her. He had such a dramatic effect on the anxiety that her oncologist proclaimed him a service dog. He cut her medication in half, for a long time.

She never gave up. Never. The doctors were all amazed, nothing was progressing as fast as it should have for this aggressive cancer. She just kept going.

Until tonight. Tonight she lost the fight. Her body just ran out of resources to fight with, and in the end, it was a mercy.

She will be missed, and loved, always and forever, but her fight is over now.

We am so very sorry to hear this. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. We are on the road at the moment attending my Moms Funeral ourselves. So, I have some appreciation of the emotions you are experiencing. Know that she has moved on to a better place and that it is all a part of life.

I'm sorry to hear this. I remember Mamaw at our Blogorado gathering, cackling gleefully at one of the stories we shared. She will be missed; but she lives on in her children, and grandchildren (yes, that means you!)

Be glad for the good times and the happy memories. They help to balance the sadness. Besides, think what she'd be saying to you if she saw you getting too sad!

While we were there in October, it was painful to see that sweet lady enduring her trials. It was terrible in any case, but my brother Jerry, four years my junior, was taken by a brain tumor in 2006. Deepest sympathy to the the entire family.Johnny and Holly

So sorry to hear of your loss. I will be keeping you in my prayres. I lost my Dad almost six years ago to lung cancer. It is a long and ugly fight. I hope you can take some comfort in knowing the pain is over for her and she is in a much better place watching over you all until you meet again.

So sorry to hear of your loss - I've enjoyed reading your tales and those of your redoubtable friends for several years now, and relished every mention of this wonderful lady. You'll all be in our prayers...

In the rising of the sun and in its going down, We remember them. In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter We remember them. In the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring, We remember them. In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer, We remember them. In the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn, We remember them. In the beginning of the year and when it ends, We remember them. When we are weary and in need of strength, We remember them. When we are lost and sick at heart, We remember them. When we have joys we yearn to share, We remember them. So long as we live, they too shall live, For they are now a part of us, As we remember them.